Modular planting system for roof applications

ABSTRACT

A modular planting system for roof applications includes a plurality of green roof planter modules each comprising a planter including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, and a biodegradable insert including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, wherein the insert is adapted to retain a plant matter in the interior space of the insert, the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extend above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, and wherein the plurality of sidewalls of the insert are adapted to retain a plant matter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/623,168 filed on Jan. 15, 2007 and entitled MODULAR PLANTINGSYSTEM FOR ROOF APPLICATIONS.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modular planting system for roofapplications, and in particular to a modular planting system thatincludes a plurality of planter modules each including a planter and abiodegradable insert member extending upwardly from an uppermost portionof the planter, thereby allowing plant matter to extend above the upperedge of the associated planter and the insert member to degrade once theplanter module is placed adjacent to a plurality of other plantermodules, thereby creating a green-roof system.

Green-roof systems are used in a wide variety of applications, includingcommercial and residential buildings. The positive thermal properties ofthe systems result in significant cost savings with respect to coolingof the associated buildings and structures. Further, the systemsdramatically reduce the amount of water runoff caused by rainfall, whichis particularly critical in urban areas. The systems typically include asoil or aggregate matter supporting plants therein, and barrier layersfor protecting the underlying roof and for providing the necessary waterbarriers and drainage for the associated plants. These methods mayinclude the application of seed-including soils to the selected roofarea. However, this method typically requires a significant amount oftime until the plants provide adequate coverage. Other methods that havebeen employed include the use of modular systems, thereby reducing thegrow-time required in order to provide adequate coverage by allowingplants to at least partially mature prior to being utilized within agreen roof system. However, these systems employ normal planter boxeswherein the plant matter rests below an uppermost edge of the associatedplanter or container. Such methods, while a vast improvement overprevious methods, typically result in several months to years of growtime while the individual sections grow and subsequently fuse togetherto provide adequate roof coverage. Another problem typically associatedwith past methods is the inadequacy of water supply, drainage andtransport of water and nutrients between the associated sections.

A planted roof system is desired that provides adequate roof coveragequickly and economically, while simultaneously being easy to install ata relative low cost. Further, the system should provide improved watercommunication between the modules that comprise the overall system, andallow easy maintenance thereof

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a method forinstalling a modular green roof system that comprises providing aplanter that includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls eachhaving an upper edge that cooperate with the bottom wall to form aninterior space, providing a removable collar member having a bottom edgeand a top edge, and inserting the removable collar into the interiorspace of the planter such the removable collar extends upwardly from atleast a select one of the plurality of sidewalls. The method furthercomprises placing and growing a plant matter within the interior spaceof the planter such that at least a portion of the plant matter extendsupwardly from the upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls, positioningthe planter proximate to at least one other planter, and removing thecollar member from within the interior space of the planter such thatthe portion of the plant matter extending upwardly from the upper edgeof the planter abut a portion of plant matter extending upwardly from anupper edge of the at least one other planter.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a green roofplanter module that comprises a planter including a bottom wall and aplurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form aninterior space, and a biodegradable insert including a bottom wall and aplurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form aninterior space, wherein the insert is adapted to retain a plant matterin the interior space of the insert, the plurality of sidewalls of theinsert extend above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, andwherein the plurality of the sidewalls of the insert are adapted toretain a plant matter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls ofthe planter.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method forinstalling a modular green roof system that comprises providing aplanter that includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls eachhaving an upper edge and that cooperate with the bottom edge to form aninterior space, providing a biodegradable insert that includes a bottomwall and a plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge and thatcooperate with the bottom wall of the insert to form an interior space,and inserting the insert into the interior space of the planter suchthat the upper edge of the sidewalls of the insert extend upwardly fromthe upper edge of the sidewalls of the planter. The method furtherincludes placing and growing a plant matter within the interior space ofthe insert such that at least a portion of the plant matter extendsupwardly from the upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls, positioningthe planter proximate to at least one other planter, and allowing theinsert to degrade from within the interior space of the planter suchthat the portion of the plant matter extending upwardly from the upperedge of the planter abut a portion of plant matter extending upwardlyfrom an upper edge of the at least one other planter.

The present inventive green roof system provides coverage of an entireroof area quickly and economically by allowing the associated modules tobe planted and/or grown off-sight in a manner that allows the plantmatter to extend upwardly from an associated planter and plant matterwithin adjacent modules to abut immediately upon installation. Further,the roof system is easy to install at a relatively low cost. Moreover,the system provides improved water communication and drainage betweenadjacent modules, allows easy maintenance of the overall system, can beinstalled easily and quickly by even unskilled personnel, is capable ofa long-operating life, and is particularly well adapted for the proposeduse.

These and other advantages of the invention will be further understoodand appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to thefollowing written specification, claims and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building employing a green roof systemembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a green roof planter module thatincludes a collar member removably inserted into an associated planter;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the planter module;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the planter module including acut-away portion of the collar member inserted into the planter;

FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional end view of the planter module;

FIG. 5B is a partial cross-sectional end view of a first alternativeembodiment of the planter module;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the planter;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second alternativeembodiment of the planer module;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a third alternative embodiment ofthe planter module including a planter and a supporting drainage member;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the drainage member;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth alternativeembodiment of the planter module; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the fourth alternative embodiment ofthe planter module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIGS. 2 and 8.However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume variousalternative orientations and step sequences, except where expresslyspecified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specificdevices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, anddescribed in the following specification are exemplary embodiments ofthe inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The reference numeral 10 (FIG. 1) generally designates a green roofsystem embodying the present invention and employed on a building roof12 and comprising a plurality of individual green roof planter modules14. In the illustrated example, each of the planter modules 14 (FIGS. 2and 3) comprises a planter 16 and an insert 18, such as a removablecollar inserted into the planter 16 such that the collar 18 extendsupwardly from an uppermost edge of the planter 16, thereby allowing theretention of plant matter that extends above an upper edge of theplanter 16.

Each planter 16 includes a bottom wall 20, a plurality of walls thatinclude sidewalls 22 and end walls 24 that cooperate with the bottomwall 20 to form an interior space 26, and a plurality of support tabs 28(FIGS. 4 and 5) spaced about the interior space 26 and that extendinwardly toward the interior space 26. Each of the sidewalls and endwalls include a top edge 25. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, each of thesupport tabs 28 extends upwardly from the bottom wall 20 and is spacedfrom an associated sidewall 22 or end wall 24. The planter 16 ispreferably integrally molded by press forming, and the like, and isconstructed of a material such as plastic. In the illustrated example,the planter 16 is providing a rectangularly-shaped overall plan form,however, other configurations may also be utilized. Further, it is notedthat the tabs 28 are configured to abut the bottom surface of the bottomwall 20 of another planter 16 when multiple planters are placed in astacked relationship. As illustrated, one of the sidewalls 22 and one ofthe end walls 24 each include an outwardly-extending overlap tab 29 thatoverlaps a respective sidewall or end wall of an adjacent planter 16.

The collar member 18 includes a plurality of walls 30 each having abottom edge 32 and a top edge 34. In the illustrated example, the collarmember 18 comprises two pieces that extend in a rectangular manner aboutthe planter 16. Specifically, the collar member 18 extends about theinterior space 26 of the associated planter 16 such that the bottom edge32 of each of the walls 30 is inserted between the sidewalls and endwalls 22, 24 of the planter 16 and the associated support tabs 28,thereby retaining the collar member 18 within the interior space 26 ofthe planter 16, and such that the walls 30 of the collar member 18extend upwardly from the top edge 25 of the sidewalls and end walls 22,24 of the planter 16. Although locking tabs are illustrated between eachof the pieces of the collar, overlapping, non-tabbed ends may also beutilized.

In operation, the collar member 18 is inserted into the interior space26 of planter 16, in a manner described above, and a plant matter thatcomprises grown plants, plant seedlings, plant seeds and the like, andsoil and/or aggregate is also inserted into the interior space 26 of theplanter 16. Subsequently, plants are grown within the interior space 26until such plant matter extends upwardly above the top edge 25 of thesidewalls and end walls 22, 24 of the planter 16. The planter module 14is then placed in rows or a grid work-like pattern upon a roof 12(FIG. 1) and the collar member 18 removed such that the plant matterwithin the interior space 26 of the planter 16 abuts similar plantmatter in adjacent planter modules 14, thereby providing a connectedroof system that will quickly provide an interconnected andaesthetically-pleasing planted surface. Alternatively, the collar member18 comprises a biodegradable material that may be left within theplanter 16 placed within the overall grid work of the green roof system10. It is also noted that the walls 30 of the collar member 18 anglesoutwardly from the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 of the planter 16,thereby promoting a tight abutment of the plant matter extending abovethe top edge 25 of the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 between adjacentplanter modules 14.

The proper communication of water between adjacent planters 16 isprovided by various elements within the planter 16. As best illustratedin FIG. 2, the bottom wall 20 of the planter 16 comprises a gridwork-like pattern of recesses 36 segmented by raised portions 38. Aplurality of drainage apertures 40 extend through the recesses 36 andthe raised portions 38. It is noted that at least a portion of each ofthe drainage apertures 40 extend through a lowermost portion of thebottom wall 20, thereby eliminating standing water within the planter16. Each of the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 of the planter 16 alsoinclude arcuately-shaped recesses or apertures 42 extending therethroughthat align with similar apertures of adjacent planters when positionedwithin the overall gridwork. As illustrated, each of the aperturesextends downwardly from the top edge 25 of the sidewalls and end walls22, 24, a distance that is greater than half of the distance between thetop edge 25 and a point at which the bottom wall 20 intersects thesidewalls and/or end wall 22, 24, thereby providing adequate watercommunication between adjacent planters 16 and further allowing for themigration of plant matter therebetween.

The reference numeral 14 a (FIG. 5B) generally designates anotherembodiment of the present inventive planter module. Since the plantermodule 14 a is similar to the previously-described planter module 14,similar parts appearing in FIGS. 2-4 and FIG. 5, respectively arerepresented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for thesuffix “a” in the numerals of the latter. In the planter module 14 a,the top edge 25 a of each of the sidewalls 22 a and end walls 24 ainclude an upwardly-opening channel 33 defining a pocket 35 within whichthe bottom edge 32 a of the collar member 18 a is inserted.

The planter 16 (FIG. 6) further includes a pair of gripping reliefs 44located at each end thereof Specifically, each relief 44 is providedwithin the intersection of an associated end wall 24 and the bottom wall20 such that a user is able to insert their fingers into the reliefs 44,thereby allowing easy gripping and support of the planter module 14.

The reference numeral 14 b (FIG. 7) generally designates anotherembodiment of the present inventive planter module 14. Since the plantermodule 14 b is similar to the previously-described planter module 14,similar parts appearing in FIGS. 2-4 and FIG. 7, respectively arerepresented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for thesuffix “b” in the numerals of the latter. In the planter module 14 b,the intersecting corner 46 between the sidewalls 22 b and the end walls(not shown) are provided with an aperture 48 extending therethrough,while corresponding corners of the collar member 18 b are provided withan aperture or recess 50. The alternative embodiment planter module 14 bfurther includes a retainer member that extends about the exterior ofthe sidewalls and end wall 22 b, 24 b of the planter 16 b and extendsinto the aperture 48 of the planter 16 b and the apertures 50 of thecollar member 18 b, thereby retaining the collar member 18 b to theoutside of the planter 16 b. It is preferred that the retainer member 52comprises an elastically-deformable material, such as an elastic cord orrubber band. The retainer member 52 assists in retaining the collarmember 18 b about the planter 16 b, but allows easy removal of theretaining member 52 and the collar member 18 b from about the planter 16b.

The reference numeral 14 c (FIG. 8) generally designates anotherembodiment of the present inventive planter module. Since the plantermodule 14 c is similar to the previously-described planter module 14,similar parts appearing in FIGS. 2-4 and FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively arerepresented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for thesuffix “c” in the numerals of the latter. The planter module 14 cincludes a planter 16 c, a collar member 18 c, and a drainage member 54supporting the planter 16 c. The planter 16 c and collar member 18 c aresimilar to the previously-described planter 16 and collar member 18, themost notable exception being that the bottom wall 20 c of the planter 16c is substantially flat with a plurality of drainage holes or apertures56 extending therethrough. The drainage member 54 is providedsubstantially the same plan form shape as the planter 16 c and includesa top wall 58, a bottom wall 60, and a plurality of sidewalls 62. Asillustrated, the planter 16 c includes a plurality ofdownwardly-extending pegs 63 that are embedded into the drainage member54. As best illustrated in FIG. 9, the top wall 58 includes aninwardly-extending grid work of passages or recesses 64. These passagesextend between and through the sidewalls 62 of the drainage member 54.In assembly, the bottom wall 20 c of the planter 16 c is supported onthe top wall 58 of the drainage member 54 such that the drainageapertures 56 of the planter 16 c aligns with the recesses 64 of thedrainage member 64, thereby allowing water communication therebetween.Further, the recesses 64 of the drainage member 54 are arranged so as toalign the recesses 64 of adjacent drainage members 54 within the overallgrid work of planter modules 14 c when placed upon the roof 12 of theassociated building, thereby allowing proper fluid communication betweenall adjacent planter modules 14 c. Preferably, the drainage member 54 iscomprised of a deformable foam material that allows the bottom wall 60to be easily deformed when placed upon an uneven roof surface therebyeliminating the need for blocking or altering any of the planters 16 c.The foam material also provides insulative properties between theplanters 16 c and associated roof 12.

The reference numeral 14 d (FIGS. 10 and 11) generally designatesanother alternative embodiment of the green roof planter modules. Sincethe planter module 14 d is similar to the previously-described plantermodule 14, similar parts appearing in FIGS. 2-4 and FIGS. 10 and 11,respectively, are represented by the same corresponding referencenumerals, except for the suffix “d” in the numerals of the latter. Inthe illustrated example, the planter module 14 d comprises a planter 16d and a biodegradable insert 18 d inserted into the planter 16 d suchthat the insert 18 d extends upwardly from an uppermost edge of theplanter 16 d, thereby allowing the retention of plant matter thatextends above an upper edge of the planter 16.

Each planter 16 d includes a bottom wall 20 d, a plurality of walls thatinclude sidewalls 22 d, and end walls 24 d that cooperate with thebottom wall 20 d to form an interior space 26 d. Each of the sidewalls22 d and end walls 24 d include a top edge 25 d. The planter 16 d ispreferably integrally molded by press forming, and the like, and isconstructed of a material such as plastic. In the illustrated example,the planter 16 d is providing a rectangularly-shaped overall plan form,however, other configurations may also be utilized. As illustrated, oneof the sidewalls 22 d and one of the end walls 24 d each include anoutwardly-extending overlap tab 29 d that overlaps a respective sidewallor end wall of an adjacent planter 16 d.

The insert 18 d includes a plurality of sidewalls 30 d each having abottom edge 32 d and a top edge 34 d, and a bottom wall 35 d extendingbetween and cooperating with the sidewalls 30 d to form an interiorspace 37 d. In the illustrated example, the insert 18 d is sized so asto be received within the planter 16 d and is shaped similarly to theplanter 16 d. Preferably, the insert 18 d comprises a biodegradablematerial, such as cellulose, biodegradable plastic, a wood product suchas coconut fiber or bamboo fiber, cardboard, and/or paper. Further, thebase material of which the insert 18 d is constructed may be coated witha material that retards biodegradation, such as paraffin. The coatingmay also be applied selectively, thereby allowing select portions of theinsert 18 d to degrade more quickly than others.

In operation, the insert 18 d is inserted into the interior space 26 dof planter 16 d, such that the sidewalls 30 d and bottom wall 35 d ofthe insert 18 d abut the sidewalls 22 d and bottom wall 20 d of theplanter 16 d, respectively. A plant matter that comprises grown plants,plant seedlings, plant seeds and the like, and soil and/or aggregate isthen inserted into the interior space 37 d of the planter insert 18 d.Subsequently, plants are grown within the interior space 18 d until suchplant matter extends upwardly above the top edge 25 d of the sidewallsand end walls 22 d, 24 d of the planter 16 d. The planter module 14 d isthen placed in rows or a grid work-like pattern upon a roof 12 (FIG. 1).The insert 18 d then biodegrades such that the plant matter within theinterior space 26 d of the planter 16 d abuts similar plant matter inadjacent planter modules 14 d, thereby providing a connected roof systemthat will quickly provide an interconnected and aesthetically-pleasingplanted surface. It is also noted that the walls 30 d of the insert 18 dangles outwardly from the sidewalls and end walls 22 d, 24 d of theplanter 16 d, thereby promoting a tight abutment of the plant matterextending above the top edge 25 d of the sidewalls and end walls 22 d,24 d between adjacent planter modules 14 d.

The present inventive green roof system provides coverage of an entireroof area quickly and economically by allowing the associated modules tobe grown off-sight in a manner that allows the plant matter to extendupwardly from an associated planter and plant matter within adjacentmodules to abut more quickly subsequent to installation. Further, theroof system is easy to install at a relatively low cost. Moreover, thesystem provides improved water communication and drainage betweenadjacent modules, allows easy maintenance of the overall system, can beinstalled easily and quickly by even unskilled personnel, is capable ofa long-operating life, and is particularly well adapted for the proposeduse.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art, that modifications may be made to the inventionwithout departing from the concepts as disclosed herein, suchmodifications are to be considered as included in the following claims,unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

1. A method for installing a modular green roof system, comprising; providing a planter that includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge and that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space; providing a removable collar member having a bottom edge and a top edge; inserting the removable collar into the interior space of the planter such that the removable collar extends upwardly from at least a select one of the plurality of sidewalls; placing and growing a plant matter within the interior space of the planter such that at least a portion of the plant matter extends upwardly from the upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls; positioning the planter proximate to at least one other planter; and removing the collar member from within the interior space of the planter such that the portion of the plant matter extending upwardly from the upper edge of the planter abut a portion of plant matter extending upwardly from an upper edge of the at least one other planter.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the planter includes providing the planter with at least one support tab that extends inward towards the interior space from at least a select one of the bottom wall and the plurality of sidewalls, and wherein the step of inserting the removable collar into the interior space of the planter includes supporting the collar within the interior space by the at least one support tab.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the planter includes providing the planter such that the at least one support tab is spaced from at least one sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls, and wherein the step of inserting the collar member includes positioning the collar member between the at least one support tab and the at least one sidewall.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inserting the removable collar includes inserting the removable collar to completely surround the interior space of the planter.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inserting the removable collar includes inserting the removable collar such that the removable collar angles outwardly from the plurality of sidewalls.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the collar member includes providing the collar as comprising a biodegradable material.
 7. A green roof planter module, comprising: a planter including a bottom wall, and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space; and a biodegradable insert including a bottom wall, and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, wherein the insert is adapted to retain a plant matter in the interior space of the insert, the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extending above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, and wherein the plurality of the sidewalls of the insert are adapted to retain a plant matter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter.
 8. The green roof planter module of claim 7, wherein the plurality of sidewalls of the insert angle outwardly from the plurality of sidewalls.
 9. The green roof planter module of claim 7, wherein the planter comprises a molded plastic.
 10. The green roof planter module of claim 7, wherein the bottom wall of the planter includes at least one drainage aperture located therein, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one drainage aperture is located with a lower most portion of the bottom wall.
 11. The green roof planter module of claim 7, wherein at least one of the sidewalls of the planter includes an outwardly-extending tab that is adapted to overlap with a sidewall of an adjacent planter.
 12. The green roof planter module of claim 7, wherein the insert comprises at least a select one of a group including wood, cellulose, biodegradable plastic, and paper.
 13. The green roof planter module of claim 7, wherein the insert is at least partially coated with a material that retards biodegradation.
 14. The green roof planter module of claim 13, wherein that retards biodegradation comprises a paraffin.
 15. A method for installing a modular green roof system, comprising: providing a planter that includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge and that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space; providing a biodegradable insert that includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge and that cooperate within the bottom wall of the insert to form an interior space; inserting the insert into the interior space of the planter such that the upper edge of the sidewalls of the insert extend upwardly from the upper edge of the sidewalls of the planter; placing and growing a plant matter within the interior space of the insert such that at least a portion of the plant matter extends upwardly from the upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls; positioning the planter proximate to at least one other planter; and allowing the insert to degrade from within the interior space of the planter such that the portion of the plant matter extending upwardly from the upper edge of the planter abut a portion of plant matter extending upwardly from an upper edge of the at least one other planter.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of inserting the insert includes inserting the insert such that the sidewalls of the insert angle outwardly from the sidewalls of the planter. 